New start clothes

[MrsDrudge]

If you could throw away all your clothes/shoes and start again with a completely new wardrobe, what would you choose?

Think I would start with a colour palette - two neutrals, one light one dark (eg black/ white/ navy/ beige/ grey) plus 3 or 4 colours (for me olive, burgundy, rust but could be turquoise, pink, lilac etc). Then lifestyle: how do you spend your days? Home or office or outdoors? How many smart v casual clothes do you need?

Are you a skirt/ dress person or a trouser-wearer, for preference? Do you feel comfortable in pattern, florals? Geometric? Or prefer plain colours? Your favourite trouser shape(s)? Shirts or blouses? Sweats or jumpers? Or both?

For me personally (city based, office job, WFH 2/3 days per week) it would be:
Jeans: 2 mid blue (wide leg, straight/ barrel), 1 slim dark for evenings, 1 black slouchy
Trousers: 1 wide + 1 tapered/ straight in each of my neutrals
Dresses: a couple of smart/ evening and a couple of throw-on day dresses for summer
Skirts: 1 winter + 2 summer
Jumpsuits: 1 smart evening, 1 loose linen for summer, 1 smartish for the office and 1 denim/ twill
Shirts: 1 denim, 1 casual stripe, 1 plain poplin
Blouses/ long-sleeve tops: 6 in key colours
T-shirts: 6 in mix of neutrals: colours
Knitwear: 2 sweatshirts, 2 fine-knit, 2 chunky jumpers
A great blazer (ideally a suit with one of your smart trousers)
A great denim jacket
A shacket
Another smart jacket/ blazer in a neutral
2 winter coats, 1 long 1 short
A proper waterproof coat/ jacket
A great trench
Trainers x 2
Loafers
Heels x 1
Evening flats x 1
Sandals smart and casual

In reality I have a lot more clothes than this . Need an urgent clear-out!

I basically did! Years of WFH, everything was lycra and primark.

I got my colours done and had a body shape analysis with a stylist. But yes agree go with neutrals and pops of colour.

Things that are working hard so far.

M&S Mom jeans in Indigo
Boden girlfriend jeans (relaxed skinny)
So yes you want a dark pair, an edgy pair and a skinny pair
Chunky white trainers (And/Or range)
White trainers go with everything
M&S wide leg trousers
Great for work, wide leg are my new discovery.
John Lewis cropped linen trousers
I don't suit straight or tapered but I can do a cuffed jogger, sort of harem style
Navy blazer (M&Co)

Boden navy and white breton
Boden breton roll neck
Next cap sleeve tshirts - multiple colours
Navy hoodie from Joules - plain and goes with everything
Various white vests with interesting necklines for summer
Birkenstock style sandals - M&S have great leather ones for under £25
Fitted denim shorts - white stuff and fat face
A decent belt from M&S

Basically everything @Zinnia said, great list there!

What is your lifestyle? Wfh, office? You probably need 2 weeks worth of outfits for now, but if you mix and match your items you don't need 14 separate outfits

Thanks for your comprehensive and thoughtful replies! After reading them I realise that I have smart/work clothes and vegging out clothes, and as recently retired I need casuals, so thinking about lifestyle is important. The idea of neutrals with pops of colour for interest appeals, and both lists have great suggestions that I shall research.
@MistySkiesAreGone I do admire you! Did you actually throw out all your stuff and start again?